Rwanda bill criticised by Irish foreign minister as ‘fearful’ migrants cross border
IndependentApr 25
Ireland Claims UK Rwanda Plan Sends Migrants Across Border
Image copyright: Thierry Monasse/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Friday that the UK's Rwanda deportation plan, set to begin in 10-12 weeks, has prompted "fearful" asylum-seeking migrants to cross over into Ireland.
This follows Martin's trip to Jordan on Wednesday, during which he described the Rwanda plan as a "sort of kneejerk reaction," arguing that it "isn't going to really do anything to deal with the issue."
The Spin
Left narrative
The UK's Rwanda plan is not only inhumane and ineffective, but it has now forced an unnecessary surprise influx of asylum seekers into Ireland. The Conservative-run British government has failed for years to handle immigration issues, particularly since it decided to leave the EU, and now it's going to waste billions of dollars just to overwhelm its neighbor.
Right narrative
The Irish government has no right to complain after declaring the UK unsafe for migrants and pushing for open borders between the two countries. It should come as no surprise that illegal migrants are traveling to a country that openly supports illegal migration. Martin should have considered that while his colleagues drew up their immigration policies.